Colts’ feelings on Ben Banogu are clear after Sunday shakeup
By Adam Weinrib
Indianapolis Colts D-lineman Ben Banogu probably doesn’t have much of an opportunity here; he’s a healthy scratch again Sunday.
It’s been a few weeks since Colts fans received any sort of update on pass rusher Ben Banogu, who’s been deemphasized this season.
As it turns out, there was a very good reason behind his departure from the rotation — according to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Banogu wasn’t even showing enough in practice to be considered for gameday action. First comes impressive practice reps, then comes opportunity, and then comes stardom, if you’re lucky. Apparently, Banogu wasn’t even close to completing step one, and so we held our tongues.
In case you were hoping things had improved for the young defender over the past few weeks, we’ve got bad news for you.
Even without DeForest Buckner on Sunday and featuring a paper-thin defensive line, the Colts kept Banogu inactive, telling you the whole story in a simple press release.
Hard to view today's Colts inactive list as anything more than an indictment of Ben Banogu. The Colts are down two starting D linemen and he's a healthy scratch. Wow.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 29, 2020
Banogu has appeared in 2020, though he hasn’t recorded a sack and hasn’t returned to the field of play since Week 8 in Detroit, the kickoff to the Colts’ nightmare November that hasn’t exactly materialized in that way.
Since that triumph, the Colts have been on a winning jag, riding their mojo to a 7-3 record, content to keep Banogu on the sidelines with their rotation humming. But even when faced with their first real sense of chaos this week, Indy hasn’t looked his way whatsoever. That tells you all you need to know.
And if you’d like the cringe to spread across your entire face into an angry frown, consider the fact that the Colts, still in need of a No. 1 receiver, passed on both DK Metcalf and division rival AJ Brown in order to add Banogu to their bench.
The Colts literally passed on both of them. They picked Ben Banogu over DK Metcalf
— John Proctor Deplorable (@BradleyAshe) November 22, 2020
No thank you.
If it didn’t happen this week, with the defensive rotation depleted and the Titans’ pass rush looming, then it’s probably never happening for Banogu in Indianapolis.
